Hartpury provided the perfect setting for two days of sporting competition as the college again hosted the annual Gloucestershire School Summer Games.

Close to 1000 participants representing 45 special educational needs, primary and secondary schools descended upon the College as they took part in a variety of sports, from archery and rounders to mountain biking and softball, in the event run by Active Gloucestershire.

And Hartpury’s BTEC Sports Coaching students played a major role in ensuring the games ran smoothly with more than 30 helping to officiate, coordinate and organise many of the sporting activities.

Charlotte Hills, a second year student, said: “It’s been great to volunteer as I find it really rewarding helping kids play sport and to see them enjoying it is amazing. I want to go into teaching so days like this give me a really good experience!

“I’ve done a variety of things over the last two days, including dressing up as the mascot and helping to run one of the sport areas. It’s great to be a part of the whole thing.”

On the first day of action, Hartpury welcomed pupils from special educational needs and secondary schools as they took part in a variety of sports that also included Kwik Cricket and Panathlon – a multi-sport competition aimed at providing sporting opportunities to disabled young people.

And on the second day it was the turn of the primary schoolchildren to put their sporting skills to the test.

Pete Holdaway, a teacher from Bishops Cleeve Academy, said: “Our pupils were here doing the quad kids event, which was an athletics discipline that included jumping, throwing and running, and they all had a great time.

“We’ve been able to come here for the past few years and it is always run and organised extremely well. It’s fantastic for the kids and a great experience as there is also a lot of things for the children to do throughout the day.”

Jack Edwards, an 11-year-old from Woolaston School who was taking part in the rounders competition, said: “I really enjoyed the day and it’s great to compete against other schools! My favourite part of rounders is fielding as I love trying to help my team win by trying to get the other team out as quickly as possible.”

Louise Brooks, an 11-year old from Tibberton School and winner of the mountain biking event, said: “I loved today as I really liked the friendliness of the whole day. I like to ride my bike and it was amazing to win!”

Dan Robinson, Subject Leader for General Sport at Hartpury, added: “It was another great two days of sport and it’s great to be able to host an event like this for a fifth consecutive year. I think everybody who came to Hartpury had a great time and our students played a big part in making sure the School Summer Games was again a resounding success.”